Looking For Career Change In My Late 50's
Topic 5854 | Page 1
Odds? 100% If you can pass DOT physical. Welcome!! You found the right place!
Any and all questions answered here PLUS All the study materials you could ever use! Please stay a while hang out read the articles and stories! Fantastic site! Starting at the top becoming a truck driver and following all the links. Many many your age starting second and third/final careers. Best of luck!
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Hi Dana, like Mikki said, it is very doable if you can pass the DOT physical. I will be 53 Friday and I am able to do any of the physical things I will need to do. Right now my biggest issue is backing and that has nothing to do with my physical abilities.....
Starcar (wise sage that she is!) always says trucking companies love to hire women because we have better manners and treat the equipment better! There is a lot of great information here so I am glad you found Trucking Truth!
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
I am 55 and in my 3rd week of CDL school in Columbus, Ohio. I love it. It's hard but fun! I tried it 7 years ago at a different school. I should have rescheduled the test, practiced more and just done it till I passed. However, I did not pursue it because I had family matter that took me off course. I later injured my back and thought I would never come back to trucking. My back is healed and I'm back to training. Doors were closing on my previous pursuit, and doors were opening for this one, so I jumped at the opportunity to try again. There are women younger than me here and women older than me here. Most students are men, but there are men who are older than me here too. So don't let age be the deciding factor. I don't forget how old I am but I do remember how much more in shape I want to get. I asked about work out facilities in the company I will likely go with. They have them at the terminals. So there's a lot we have going for us. We have some wisdom and good customer service skills and respect for others. I'm finally at the age where I know I deserve respect and money for my time and talents. Good luck with your decision(s). --AM
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Yup...the fine ladies who posted before me have said it all.....It doesn't take outside plumbing to drive a truck. For women, it takes tenacity, a full sense of self worth, and knowing that the "pair" that we have is bigger than any guys junk....( dang, I like how I said that ). You will be tried everyday...You will have to demand respect from other drivers, shippers, receivers, and possibly your boss. But you will need to know yourself well enough to know when you are hitting the glass ceiling. Then its time to move on. Get your cdl , a year of solid OTR experience, and you can go to, and do anything that your heart desires, or peeks your interest. There are ladies in every vein of trucking...right up to owner operators ( which I would not suggest in this economy). So step out there and follow that dream....grab that adventure and run with it....follow that white line down that asphalt ribbon...
And Welcome to TT !!!
and ........keep us posted !!!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Owner Operator:
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
I am finding it very difficult to find work at this age, much less a male dominated field. Before I signup for a school I would like honest feedback as to what my odds are of finding work as a truck driver.